New beginnings are always a great time! I am constantly in awe of the resoluteness one needs for the closing of the door behind to walk slowly but assuredly away from one’s comfort. And then how soon it can be followed by the exhilaration and anticipation of new worlds to be found in the opening of the doors ahead.
This is where I find myself. Wanting… Maybe even needing… to enter a new unexplored world. Yet I still enjoy and find fulfillment and rest in the world in which I presently reside.
Living simultaneously in two worlds… It can’t last forever… But while it does, I will enjoy the ride.
According to the VIRGINIA IS FOR LOVERS tourist site, there are 10 MUST DO HIKES in Shenandoah National Park.
The DICKEY RIDGE LOOP is a moderate 5-mile double loop hike. You can visit Fox Farm and Snead Farm as you hike. Near Dickey Ridge is the Virginia State Arboretum, Sky Meadows, and Skyline Caverns.
The MARY’S ROCK VIA THE PINNACLE is a moderate 7.2 there-and-back hike. At Mary’s Rock you have a 360 degree vista of the valley. While in the vicinity of Mary’s Rock you can visit Meems Bottom Covered Bridge, Luray Cavern’s and all its attractions, and the Luray Zoo
Hiking to OLD RAG is a difficult 9.1 mile loop. This is a very strenuous hike. Local attractions here are the Copper Fox Distillery and the Castleton Festival.
The hike to WHITEOAK CANYON FALLS is a moderate 5.2 mile there-and-back hike. You will see six water falls with drops ranging from 45 feet to 86 feet. Attractions near this hiking venue include Blue Ridge Pottery, DuCard Vineyards, the Four County Players Theater, and James Madison’s Montpelier.
The HAWKSBILL SUMMIT hike is an easy 2.2 there-and-back hike. HAWKSBILL has an almost 360 vista view at its end. The town of Luray offers many small shops for exploring as well as a picturesque greenway to stroll. From here you can also visit the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park Shenandoah Caverns, and Endless Caverns.
The STONY MAN LOOP hike is an easy 3.7 mile loop. While hiking you can stop by Furnace Spring, a former copper mining operation. Attractions here include the Skyland Stables, Sharp Rock Vineyards, and Skyland’s Pollock Dining Room.
If you have never been to RAPIDAN CAMP, this is a must hike. This is a 3.8 mile there-and-back hike. RAPIDAN CAMP was the presidential retreat of President Hoover. You can enjoy (about an hour long) self-guided interpretive tour of the retreat. Other attraction\s near here are the Massanutten Water Park, the Edith J. Carrier Arboretum and the James Madison Campus.
The LOFT MOUNTAIN LOOP hike is easy 2.9 mile loop hike. After this very family-friendly hike you can stop in at the Loft Mountain Campground store for ice cream. Attractions here are the Rosebrook Inn, Grand Caverns and you can even paddle the Shenandoah River.
The FURNACE MOUNTAIN VIA BLACKROCK SUMMIT hike is a 6.8 moderate there-and-back hike. Attractions here include the Humpback Rocks, the Le Bleu Ridge Bed & Breakfast, and the American Shakespeare Center. Near here you could also visit the Woodrow Wilson Home and Presidential Library, as well as The Frontier Culture Museum. The Frontier Culture Museum is a day-trip all by itself.
The BROWNS GAP WATERFALL LOOP hike is a 7 mile moderate loop hike. On this hike you will enjoy the cascades of the Doyles River. After the hike you can enjoy time at the Carter Mountain Orchard, the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, or the Augusta County Railroad Museum.
As you can tell, hiking the trails in the Shenandoah National Park would make a wonderful vacation get-a-way.
I celebrated my birthday a little while ago, but it don’t think it’s ever too early to plan again for next year.
Besides, now that I have gotten a little age on me, I enjoy having a birthday celebration every three months.
(I think I would have liked that when I was younger, but my parents didn’t seem to think eight-and-three-months, eight-and-six-months, and eight-and-nine-months were worthy holidays.???)
Now, I get to do what I want!
Sixty-Two-and-Three-Months is worthy a cake and ice cream and a gift!!!
So I googled (Don’t you just love google!) to see what the going great presents were for men over sixty:
Personalized beer mugs and coffee mugs
A neck and shoulder massage pillow
A wine membership
Engraved watch case and sun-glass holder
A personalized whiskey glass
A personalized putter case
A bamboo birthday card
A personalized money clip
A personalized spatula
Almost all the go-to-gifts are engraved or personalized in some way. Do they think that once I’m over sixty, I’m going to forget my name?
It’s not like I have a houseful of people and I don’t want to share?
Why can’t they just buy be a gift card for a weekly ice cream cone at my favorite ice cream place? I wouldn’t even mind if they engraved it! I really would not like to share my ice cream cone gift certificate.
It is so sad when a host is so busy that they get behind responding to thier own writing challenges.
My apologies.
I am late in reading your many wonderful (Yes, I am assuming they are. The previously ones had been, so I think that that is a fair assumption!) responses to the writing challenges.
If I have to make an excuse, there have been several household emergencies, and I am trying to find where to restart my novel.
My plan is that by the end of next week, I will have caught up on responses and to be back on track with my writing.
